Snapshot of a Day

Today we started to settle back into our groove a little bit. The school schedule is becoming a bit more normal, and I'm starting to feel a little less crazy.

Carson and I walked Abby to school this morning. She's learning her way around and is really enjoying her class. It was neat watching her as she walked down the hall, saying hello to friends and walking to class together. As I was leaving, I noticed Abby's art project up on the wall.

Carson was itching to get out of the house this morning, so we went to the bookstore up the road and spent the better part of an hour there looking at books and such. I am always so inspired by bookstores! I am inevitably always drawn to the art/design, craft/home, and, of course, the magazine sections. Here are a couple books that caught my eye today...

Carson enjoyed himself, too, and didn't want to leave.

It's kinda random to put a picture of this book on here, but it made me a little nostalgic. I got a book almost exactly like this when I was in 5th grade and it sparked in me the passion that I now have for fonts, design, and creativity. Super fun.

After the bookstore, we came home and had grilled cheeses. Carson took a long nap and I spent the whole afternoon getting caught up on work without interruption. It felt really good.

Aaron had to work late tonight, but when he got home, we plopped down on the couch together and watched Top Chef. A great end to a really nice day.

Carson

Carson,

This is a look at your life at 4 years old.

You Love:
- Playing games on the iPod
- Your Mommy and Daddy
- Abby
- Cars
- Falling, flipping, dancing, jumping...
- Cherry Cokes
- Watching TV
- Blankie
- Snuggling
- "Double" Hugs and Kisses
- Your cousin Jack-Jack
- Chicken Nuggets
- Mushroom Pizza (?!)
- Guitars (a.k.a. "Rock Stars") and Drums
- Quoting movies

You do not love:
- Cleaning your room
- Not being able to watch TV
- Ants

One thing (among many) that I love about you:
I love that you are always giving compliments and are very sweet. Like yesterday when I was leaving for a shoot, you ran out to the car and said, "I love you, Mommy! I hope you have a great night. And you look so pretty like you always do, and I hope you stay safe, and I love you, and I'll see you when you get back!"

Carson, words I use to describe you include:
affectionate, passionate, fearless, athletic, strong, adorable, funny

Some words that describe how I feel about you are:
excited, proud, love, special, buddy

I love you, and I can't wait to see what God does in you this year!
Mommy

Abby's Tooth

It's been a long awaited event in our house. Abby has been so excited (and terrified) to lose a tooth since she was probably four. She talked about it all the time. And then, tonight as we were sitting on the couch she said, "Mom, my tooth feels like it's ready to come out," and then she spit it out into her hand! We couldn't stop laughing. (Maybe you had to be there.) She ran around most of the rest of the night grinning ear to ear, giving hugs, and giggling. It was so precious!

*UPDATE* The next day at school she bumped into another student and her OTHER tooth fell out! She got to go to the nurse's office (which she had been very intrigued about since BA didn't have a nurse on campus) and everything! She was thrilled at getting a visit from the tooth fairy two nights in a row and got $1 each night. :)

First Grade

And she's off! We dropped Abby off at Ward for her first day of FIRST GRADE! She was really excited this morning, which I'm so happy about. At the beginning of the summer she was very apprehensive of going to a new school where she didn't know anyone, but she seems to have gotten over that.

We'll update you after school and see how she liked it!

*UPDATE* Abby had a great day at school today. After I picked her up, we went to Target to get a few things, and she told me all about it as we walked along (sipping on a blue Icee). Her favorite part was recess, of course. She made a friend or two that she enjoyed playing with. And she said her teacher, Mrs. Conklin, was really nice. When I picked her up, her teacher commented on what a good helper she was... I love that helpfulness is one of her outstanding characteristics.

All in all, it was a great day! When I asked her tonight how I could pray for her, she asked if I would pray that she'd have a good day tomorrow and do well at math. So if you get a moment... :)

Abby [08.22.10]

Dear Abby,

Here's a look at your life at 6 years old.

You Love:
- Wearing dresses
- Giving lots of hugs and kisses
- Being picked up... still
- Your brother
- All of your cousins
- Earning... and spending money
- Baby dolls
- Horses
- Playing with neighbors
- Sonic and Taco Cabana
- Bean and cheese tacos
- Swimming
- Sleepovers
- Movie Nights
- Being with the grown ups
- Hannah Montana
- Coloring
- Reading
- Having your nails painted in a "pattern"
- Your friends
- Purses and bags of all kinds

You do not love:
- Being alone
- Rest time (but you always end up falling asleep)
- Having your hair fixed
- "Going to stores that don't have cute stuff." (Your exact words when I asked you.)
- Jeans, shorts, or socks that don't fit just exactly right.

One thing (among many) that I love about you:
I love that when we see a man or woman on the street corner asking for money or help, you immediately go to your purse and pull out all that you have to give to them.

Abby, words I use to describe you include:
spirited, loving, helpful, generous, determined, patient, sweet

Some words that describe how I feel about you are:
proud, love, excited, special, friend

I love you, and I can't wait to see what God has in store for you this year!
Mommy

Back to School Time

Well, the time has come for school to start again. I can't believe that the summer flew by so quickly! It was jam packed with lots of fun, and now the kids are excited to be starting at new schools. Abby will be at Ward Elementary starting First Grade, and Carson will be at MDO one day a week (maybe two at some point) at Powerhouse TNT Gymnastics.

Last night, there was a Meet the Teacher Night at Abby's school, and she really enjoyed getting to look around, pick out her desk, and meet her teacher, Mrs. Conklin!



Tonight we had a special Back To School dinner for the kids (an idea that I 100% stole from a friend), and it was a really fun time! The kids got to pick what we had for dinner (spaghetti and meatballs, green beans, and key lime pie). We decided on a special verse for the year, set goals, and prayed for their teachers. It was a really great way to start things off!

Here is our family verse for the year:

Whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God.

I Corinthians 10:31

This Week [08.17.10]

This Week...

- Spent the evening with some great friends and shared good food, conversation, and laughter. Very fun and refreshing.
- Abby got to spend the night with Mackenzie. They set up a lemonade stand, wore tutus, and did lots of other fun girly things.

- Got Carson registered for the MDO Program at Powerhouse TNT Gymnastics, and we're both super excited about it!
- The kids and I will be taking one last short trip of the summer back home tomorrow to Howe visit our friends Ashley and Harlan, and to meet (and photograph, of course) new baby Ella!
- We painted Abby's room to create the "High School Musical-Hannah Montana-Horses" feel that she was after. She's very happy with it.

- Celebrated our friend Henry's long-awaited new heart! Praise God!
- Visited the New Braunfels Campus with our core team.

- Rekindled my passion for the NW Campus and got lots of ideas.
- Got to spend a lot of time with friends, team members, and awesome people.
- Went swimming.
- Prayed more.
- Aaron and I decided to quit watching TV for a while (except for a little football here and there, of course). I had been feeling like God was asking me/us to do it, but didn't say anything and then AARON brought it up. Definitely a God thing.
- Got mostly caught up on work.
- Got very behind on laundry.
- Was punched in the face by allergies. Felt sick all weekend. Feeling better now, but my voice is nearly gone.
- Really had a lot of fun with my kids!
- Read more.
- Wrote two letters (one to North Dakota and one to Peru). On paper. With a pen. And stamps. This is something I am resolving to do more. I'm bringing letter writing back! Because in my book, there are few things more exciting than receiving letters and magazines in the mailbox.
- Aaron started teaching at Believers' Academy. He's the Speech and Debate teacher! Way to go, Mr. Powers! Have one of your students take a picture of you teaching. I want that for the blog!

This week had it's ups and downs, but has been great overall. God is teaching and leading me every day to depend on him completely for everything. And you know what's crazy? He's showing me that he is trustworthy. In everything. And that is cool. Hope that you begin to sense the same thing in your life. Have a great week!

Wide Open Spaces

Growing up "in the country", the city always fascinated me. Whether it was the lights, the lure of the urban lifestyle, or the fact that in the city you didn't have to drive 45 minutes to find a Starbucks, I don't know. But in High School, I became determined that I'd leave the small town life behind and follow the lights of the city.

I remember at 19 coming to San Antonio with my family, my sister and I with our faces pressed against the window as we drove through downton. I can't describe it, but it was magical, enticing... a world of possibilities. Later that year, when I decided to move here, I felt so cool. This is a great city. I loved it.. and I still do. There are times, though, when I feel like going back to my small town roots. Sometimes I get angry at the "urban sprawl", as I watch monstrous subdivisions creeping further and further out into the small towns and countryside that I love. (Of course, isn't this a little hypocritical of me since I LIVE in one?!) It's even happening in my own hometown (it's only a 10 minute drive to Target and Starbucks now!). I'd really started to relate to the  "paved paradise and put up a parking lot" sentiment.

However, this trip did me a world of good. I got to drive through miles upon miles of undisturbed country -- from the Texas Hill Country to the piney woods of Arkansas and beyond. I drove long stretches where I went three or four hours between seeing a McDonalds or a Walmart. And it was so refreshing. My love for back roads, hill country, tall pines, roadside diners, and small old towns grew even more, and it was good for my soul to see that we're not in danger of losing all of that. We live in a big country that is full of wide open, beautiful places that have yet to be explored.



* Photos taken with my iPhone.

Catching Up

I haven't blogged in ages, so until I get around to the details, here's all the things that have happened, or been on my mind, or that I've wondered about in bullet point form.

- There has been TONS of stuff going on over the past month or so (i.e. vacation, launching a new campus, etc.) and, sad to say, I have been terrible at documenting it all. It will all get blogged eventually.
- It's been nice being home, although I miss the travelling a bit.
- I'm having fun catching up with family and friends that I've really been missing (both due to being gone and just moving to the other side of town)
- Also enjoying getting back to "work". Being gone gave me a chance for some new vision, big picture stuff, and I'm excited.
- Aaron went to Leadership Summit last week and was really inspired. Very cool stuff!
- We're starting to hit the ground running with all the multi-site stuff. It's scary and super exciting all at the same time!
- The kids are doing great and are really enjoying their summer!
- Lost my glasses a couple months ago and finally got new ones today, so hopefully that's GOODBYE to the two month long headache I've had.
- I'm discovering I really enjoy gardening. Well, okay, i only have one flowerbed right now... in which I planted things that I would have to do NOTHING to... But I love watching it grow. Dunno why. I'm really excited to landscape the back yard. I want to plant vegetables, herbs, and a cutting garden. May all have to wait until next spring, but I'm excited about it nonetheless.
- My vision is FINALLY coming together for our living room to. A lot of you know it's had me totally locked up since we moved in. Not sure when it'll get done, but I'm really excited about it now!
- I've been having some really great quiet times lately (out on our new deck) and have heard some great messages (you should definitely, absolutely check these out). God's really been speaking to me a lot lately.

And because a post is always better with a picture, here's one of my boys grilling together...

All in all, things are good. Much more to come if I ever get around to it. I've been trying to spend less time at my computer, so I'll figure out a good balance one of these days!

Thoughts from a Quiet Starbucks

Finally getting around to posting this journal entry from 8/8/10...

I got to watch the sun rise this morning. Now I'm sitting at Starbucks (alone) with no particular place to rush off to. This was worth getting up early for.

This week, I've made it a point to have times like this. Times alone. Times where I'm not on the computer, watching TV, or playing with my iPhone. Times to read. Times to think. Times to pray. Times to wonder, brainstorm, or space-out. And it makes a difference.

I've gotten more work done, have spent more quality time with my kids, hopefully loved my husband better, and felt at peace with God. I worried less, yelled less, and felt less like a crazy person.

Of course this is true. Jesus made time to be alone. God tells us over and over throughout His Word to, "Be still and know that I am God," or, "Come unto me, all who are weary and I will give you rest," and still we forget. Or think we're okay without.

At any rate... it's been great. I've really been in prayer a lot lately for myself and for our family. There have been many prayers, but my biggest request has been that our faith, our passion, and our understanding of God would be taken to another level. Already, I see this beginning to happen, and it's so exciting. It's just time for change. Not that anything's been bad about our lives (that hasn't been the case at all), but there just hasn't been a whole lot of passion or reaching for more or... I just feel like God wants so much more from us.

Since I got up early with Aaron this morning (the kids are at Bill and Sandy's), I have several hours to kill before going to the 11:15 service at RCCC, so I'm enjoying an iced chai and then going to visit another church (Journey Fellowship) that is a multi-site concept. I'm excited. I think it's kinda refreshing to go to another church sometimes, especially for ministers. I do adore River City though, and the more churches I see, the luckier I feel being a part of it. River City "gets it" on so many levels. I'm excited to start the new campus, but will be sad leaving the Redland campus. It feels a lot like home.

Lots to be in prayer about these days. Passion. Balance. New Campus (location, people, etc.). Kids starting school. Neighbors. Family. The cool thing is knowing that God is in control and he's listening.

One More Room Down

There's a long list of rooms to be decorated in our house and we're slowly making progress. I decided on a whim to paint the downstairs 1/2 bath yesterday. I went with a light/medium grey (looks dark due to the lack of light in that room) and, inspired by our recent vacation, went with a (subtle) beach theme. More accents to be added later (so you will actually be able to tell that it's beach themed) but right now the conch shell, family beach photos, and mini palm tree will have to do! :) Not bad for $10 and half a can of paint!

Lucky

When I came down the stairs this morning, this is what I saw, and I couldn't help but smile at the love that these two share. They adore each other. Sure, they have their fights now and again, but they just love being together and they get along so well. I feel so lucky to have two such great kids!

Galveston

Galveston. The final portion of our vacation. I hadn't been to Galveston since I went for an Oceanography camp in fourth grade, so I wasn't completely sure what to expect. I find that generally my memories as a child paint a place quite different from my adult perspective. As a child, everything always seems bigger and better. But let me say... Galveston was a blast! We spent three days there enjoying the sunshine, the beach, sandcastles, and fun times as a family. The kids enjoyed themselves thoroughly and wore themselves completely out each day from all the playing and laughing. We loved it!

The highlights?
- Shrimp & Stuff - I hate seafood, but I now crave the stuffed shrimp at this restaurant. We decided we need to contact Guy Fieri about this place for Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives.
- Sandcastles - Never underestimate the relaxing and healing properties of just sitting in the sand and building a sandcastle. Not only did the kids love it, I loved it!






- Point Bolivar Ferry - We didn't drive onto the ferry, but walked on and stood up on the upper deck. Got to see some pretty sights, pelicans, and even dolphins! Best of all... it's free.







- The Elissa - an old ship that you can tour and climb all over. This was one of Carson's favorite parts of the trip. I got to spend the night on this ship on that 4th grade trip and I always thought it was really cool.







If you look closely at the water, you can see two dolphin fins. As we were touring the ship, we spotted these two dolphins swimming through the harbor!


- The Strand - okay, it's mostly souvenir shops and overpriced restaurants, but it's got a cool feel, and we loved the architecture that the Strand (and much of the rest of the island) had.


This turned out to be an incredibly fun and memorable trip and I'm SO thankful that we were able to take it! Some of my best memories growing up were made on family vacations, and I hope our kids will feel the same. I'm already looking at trying to plan our 2011 summer vacation in east Tennessee... one of my other favorite places. I guess we'll see what happens!

Heart's Cry

Great morning at church this morning... the whole morning I just really felt God speaking to me. I really feel like the overarching theme and my desire is this, that He would be honored in the highest place in my life.

Oh great and mighty One with one desire we come,
That You would reign, that You would reign in us
We're offering up our lives, a living sacrifice,
That You would reign, that You would reign in us

Lord Jesus, come lead us,
We're desperate for your touch

We cry out for your love to refine us
Cry out for your love to define us...

(Lyrics from Starfield's "Reign in Us")